Application Design / Project 1: Mobile Application Proposal
23.09.2024 - 20.10.2024 (Week 1 - Week 4)
Gunn Joey / 0366122
Application Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 1: Mobile Application Proposal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Module Information Booklet
2. Lectures
3. Project 1
4. First Draft Proposal
5. Final Proposal
6. Feedback
7. Reflection
MODULE INFORMATION BOOKLET
LECTURES
Week 1
In the first lecture of Application Design, Mr. Zeon explained the information in the module information booklet briefly. Also, Mr. Zeon told us the requirements for every projects. Progression update is vey important in e-portfolio. After briefing, we are required to create a first draft proposal for our project 1 Mobile Application Proposal.
This week’s lecture highlights the critical role of usability in design, covering essential principles like navigation, information architecture, visual hierarchy, and usability testing. With mobile devices central to user behavior, adopting a mobile-first approach is essential, though it requires careful management of screen space and device diversity.
User-Centered Design emphasizes understanding user needs through research, guiding the development of wireframes and prototypes. Usability testing and feedback improve user satisfaction, adoption rates, and brand image, while lowering development costs. Key mobile design strategies include feature prioritization, performance optimization, and iterative testing to enhance responsiveness and efficiency.
Week 2
This week’s lecture introduces key principles of User-Centered Design, User Experience and User Interface design. The User-Centered Design process is very important for Project 1Mobile Application Proposal, where we’ll analyze an application of a company. Week 2 lectures provide additional guidance on required components. User-Centered Design focuses on user needs to create intuitive, appealing products. User Experience ensures functional, smooth interactions, while User Interface covers the visual aspects. The User-Centered Design process involves understanding business goals, defining user personas, mapping experiences, designing UX/UI, testing usability, and developing the product. Effective design balances functionality, usability, visual appeal, and brand positivity.
Week 3
In week 3, Mr. Zeon's lesson focuses on usability principles in app design, including consistency, simplicity, visibility, feedback, and error prevention. These concepts are essential for creating intuitive and efficient user experiences, where users can navigate interfaces easily and complete tasks smoothly. Usability ensures users can effectively and easily interact with a product, emphasizing clarity, learnability, and efficiency to help users achieve their goals without confusion or complexity. Key design considerations include a consistent interface, simple layouts, clear visual hierarchy, feedback for user actions, and robust error prevention to enhance satisfaction and accuracy.
For the final proposal due in Week 4, students are supposed to attend lesson on week 4 to present their final proposal. Each student will have around 5 minutes to present. We are required to cover the objectives, analysis, goals and strategies in the presentation.
Week 4
All students present their final proposal in week 4.
PROJECT 1
Mobile Application Proposal
In Project 1, we are required to create a proposal documentation for our
mobile application project. We are required to redesign an existing app that
we find unsatisfactory in terms pf the user experience or interface design
and its subject to preliminary approval by our lecturer, Mr. Zeon. We need
to do surveys, market studies and research on the selected topic. The
document should also include key features of our mobile application and
provide clear flowchart of the app.
Things to Include in the Proposal / Requirements:
1. Introduction
- Purpose of proposal
- Importance of mobile application design
- Impact of mobile application design
2. Background and Context
- Describe the existing mobile application design
- App current design
- Analysis of strengths and weaknesses
- User demographics
- User Needs
3. Goals and Objectives
- Redesign objectives
- Primary Goals and Secondary Goals for the new design
- Explain how the new design will address user needs and improve user experience
4. User Research
- Research Methods
- Explain how you will gather user feedback and insights
- Plan for user testing
5. References
Mobile Application Selection to Redesign
1. Bershka
2. Sasa MY
3. Tonton
Progress of First Draft Proposal
I have selected three mobile application as my options to redesign. In week 1, I was looking for
fashion shopping mobile application which needs improvement. I found few
shopping app for fashion in iOS App Store. There are many apps I used
previously for online shopping. For example, H&M, Zara, Bershka, Shein
and Cider. I decided to choose Bershka as my first mobile application
selection to redesign. Bershka needs a lot of improvements due to its
inflexible displayed currency. As a Bershka user, this brings trouble to
me when I was browsing the application. I can only search for my desire
piece and buy it in the physical store.
The second mobile application which I selected for my redesigning project
is Sasa MY. Sasa is a shopping application for beauty enthusiasts. As a
Malaysian, I can see Sasa's physical store in every shopping mall. I
purchase beauty products from Sasa frequently. Also, I have experience in
using Sasa mobile application to purchase fragrance and beauty products.
I have selected Tonton mobile application as one of the options because my
family members are badminton enthusiasts. We often watch badminton session
during Olympics. There are many times we were unable to watch Olympics
using TV as we have a lot of events when Olympics was streaming in live
session. My family members and I would use Tonton to watch Olympics.
Moreover, I found this app needs a lot of improvement.
Figure 1: Logos of Sasa, Bershka, Tonton App
After deciding which mobile application to redesign, I have read few
articles about the analysis of UI/UX of other mobile application. Learning
the importance of UI/UX design in mobile application provided valuable
insights on completing the mobile application proposal.
Figure 2: Article related to UI/UX design in mobile application design
Figure 3: Article related to UI/UX design in mobile application design
In week 2, I have consulted Mr.Zeon with my three ideas for proposal.
Mr.Zeon told me to make sure the reviews of each mobile application have
not been solved. For Bershka app, Mr.Zeon said this app did not have many
major issues in terms of its UI/UX. Tonton app needs more weaknesses in
the proposal. Mr.Zeon also told me to make the text of key points bold in
the proposal.
Mr.Zeon suggested me to decide between Sasa and Bershka. I chose Sasa at
last because Sasa needs more improvement compared to Bershka. Besides
that, Bershka's ratings and reviews in App Store are too old. This app
lacks of new reviews from users. Mr.Zeon approved my proposal and agreed
with me to redesign Sasa app.
Figure 4: Sasa app current design
Figure 5: Bershka app current design
Figure 6: Tonton app current design
I have installed many mobile application which they are in the same
category with Bershka, Sasa and Tonton. After studying these apps, I
found similarities and differences. This helps me understand more about
UI/UX design of mobile application.
Figure 7: Study different competitor application to redesign
Progress of Final Proposal
I have finally decided to choose Sasa MY mobile application to redesign
in the final proposal.
Category: Shopping
Application: Sasa MY
The SaSa app is designed to provide seamless shopping experiences by
connecting users with a variety of products and services, addressing
the growing demand for convenient online shopping. As e-commerce
continues to expand, the app offers a user-friendly platform that
enables customers to easily browse, compare, and purchase items from
their mobile devices.
Figure 8: Sasa MY app in App Store
After consulting Mr.Zeon with my first draft proposal, I started doing my final proposal by following the requirements in MIB. I did some research about competitive company of Sasa MY. I used Shein, Sephora and Watsons to analyse their strengths compared with Sasa. The visual appeal of Shein and Sephora is way more better than Sasa. Sasa's design layout is unclear. This leads to frustration for users. I will refer to Sephora's UI/UX in mobile application to redesign Sasa app.
In the final proposal, I recap the ratings and reviews in App Store to organise the main key problems and information. After organising all the information, I summarise them as summary of ratings and reviews in the final proposal. The main reviews are unstable app, slow performance, app keeps shutting off and unable to sign in. This process makes me understand users' satisfaction more and helps me conduct the strength and weaknesses of Sasa app easily.
Figure 9: Summary of Ratings and Reviews
When I'm using Sephora app, it is smooth and fast in loading speed. The Sephora app offers clean, intuitive design with a focus on large, high-quality visuals, clear navigation, and curated product suggestions. Shein and Watson app’s user interface looks bright, vibrant, highly visual UI with prominent images, product tags and a seamless navigation bar. Categories and themes are visually engaging, encouraging exploration. These apps let me know more about the shortcomings of Sasa app.
Figure 11: Competitive Analysis
We are required to include goals for redesigning selected app in final proposal. Firstly, I started writing primary goal. To enhance the user experience, a redesign should focus on creating a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, simplifying navigation and product discovery. Streamlining the browsing and purchasing processes will reduce friction, enabling users to move through the platform smoothly and complete purchases with ease, leading to greater satisfaction. Clearer navigation pathways should be implemented to help users find products quickly, minimizing confusion and frustration. Additionally, optimizing search and filtering functions with advanced features will allow users to easily narrow down options by categories, brands, prices, and reviews, resulting in a faster and more efficient shopping experience.
For secondary goals, the platform should incorporate features that promote interaction, fostering a vibrant and active community to increase user engagement. Providing personalized recommendations based on user data, such as browsing and purchasing history, can enhance the shopping experience by offering tailored product suggestions. Integrating beauty tips, tutorials, and trends through articles and videos will further support users in making informed decisions and learning new techniques. Additionally, improving customer support accessibility through live chat and easy-to-find FAQs will ensure that users can quickly obtain help and answers to common questions, enhancing overall satisfaction and support.
Figure 12: Goals for redesigning Sasa
Final Proposal:
Click HERE to access the draft of proposal in Canva.
FEEDBACK
Week 2:
I show Mr. Zeon three ideas for first draft proposal and introduced these apps briefly. Mr. Zeon encouraged me to focus on Bershka. Mr. Zeon also told me to start analysing these three apps.
Week 3
Mr. Zeon pointed out Bershka has not many major issues. Add more major issues if Bershka is my final company. For Sasa app, Mr. Zeon told me to remove reviews for 4 years and above and make sure all the issues in reviews are still there.
I need to add conclusion part for Tonton and make key points of proposal bold. I told Mr. Zeon that I will be analysing Sasa app in my final proposal.
Week 4
Mr. Zeon said my proposal looks okay after the presentation.
REFLECTION
In Project 1, analyzing mobile applications provided me with a deeper understanding of how small design choices can significantly impact usability and user satisfaction. I realized that even minor details, like consistent navigation and clear labeling, play a huge role in making an app feel straightforward and easy to use. When navigation isn’t clear or consistent, it can confuse users and interrupt the flow, making them feel lost or frustrated. This experience highlighted how crucial it is to focus on consistency and simplicity, ensuring that users know exactly where to go and what to expect at every step.
Another key lesson from this analysis was the importance of providing feedback to users during their interactions with the app. Feedback cues, such as confirmation messages or progress indicators, help reassure users that their actions have been successful. Without these signals, users may feel uncertain, especially during critical actions like completing a purchase or entering personal information. In the Sasa app, I noticed that the lack of clear feedback could make users second-guess their actions, which could lead to frustration or even abandonment. This made me appreciate how valuable real-time feedback is in guiding users through processes and building their confidence within the app.
Overall, this analysis taught me the value of testing and refining designs to meet user needs. Seeing areas where the app could improve emphasized the importance of putting user experience first by creating interfaces that are intuitive, responsive and visually clear.
Comments
Post a Comment